Spray apparatus

ABSTRACT

A caplike member is received onto a container for including a supply of materials to be sprayed onto lawns, shrubs and the like. A swivel nut mounted on the caplike member interconnects with, say, a water hose. A rotatable drumlike body on the caplike member has a pair of inserts with different sized bores passing therethrough, and which bores or passages are selectively positionable in alignment with a feed opening connected to inlet water, which tube lower end has a single proportion balance control orifice. The insert openings have lateral communication channels opening into a feed tube that extends into the container. A nozzle is rotatably affixed to the drumlike body and is individually adjustable to select any one of several exit openings which form different spray patterns. A further aspect is the provision of a hand operable valving device which directs inlet water into the container as a pressurized jet for initial mixing with the spray materials. Moreover, the feed tube lower end is secured within a sediment trap which positions it closely adjacent the container bottom in a manner permitting free communication with the surrounding materials. A double filter on the feed tube lower end removes suspended matter. .Iadd.

The subject application is a Continuation-In-Part application of SerialNo. 408,175, filed Oct. 19, 1973, now abandoned..Iaddend.

The present invention relates generally to spray apparatus, and, inparticular, to spray apparatus selectively adaptable for admixing suchpremix materials as fertilizers, insecticides, herbicides and fungicideswith water for spraying lawns, shrubs, trees and other plants.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Although in the past a number of different types of spray apparatus havebeen developed, none of such known apparatus has been completelysatisfactory for one or more reasons. First of all, it is desirable thatsuch apparatus be capable of efficiently and accurately admixingplanting materials such as fertilizers, herbicides, insecticides,fungicides and the like, with a pressurized water stream, and knownequipment for doing this has been relatively complex and expensive, andnot sufficiently accurate. Moreover, in the past, where an attempt wasmade to avoid complexity and/or expense, the resulting devices werefound to be generally unreliable.

It has also been found desirable for the spray apparatus to be capableof exerting a spray outlet at several different, selectively providedflow rates with prescribed ratios of water to premix materials. Stillfurther, since such equipment is conventionally connected to a waterhose and includes a container within which the fertilizer, insecticide,or the like is carried, all of which is hand carried, adjustability ofthe spray pattern over a wide range is clearly advantageous in providingthe optimal spray for particular applications while eliminating the needfor holding the apparatus at awkward and tiring angles during use.Again, past systems capable of providing different spray flow andproportions in a variety of dispensing patterns were expensive andcomplicated to manufacture, or, where designed with an eye towardreducing expense, suffered a significant drop in reliability. Also, theaccuracy of proportioning premix materials with water is of criticalimportance with many materials, and previous known devices for doingthis have simply not been suitably accurate for many materials.

With the many different kinds of fertilizers, insecticides, herbicidesand the like available on the market, it is necessary that the apparatusused be capable of providing a specified ratio of mixing for eachmaterial prior to use, and this has either been relatively difficult toaccomplish with prior equipment or not possible at all. For example, incertain types of known spray equipment, the material container has to beremoved from the spray equipment and mixing performed within the opencontainer, after which it must be reassembled for use. This, of course,takes time and occasionally produces the undesirable result of the usergetting the water and materials onto his hands and clothing, which,since the materials are quite frequently toxic, can be dangerous to theuser.

OBJECTS AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is, therefore, a primary aim and object of the subject invention toprovide improved spray apparatus for connection to a water hose for theapplication of fertilizers, insecticides or the like in a water spraysolution onto lawns, shrubbery, trees and other plants.

Another object is the provision of spray apparatus which is selectivelyadjustable to provide a spray output at any one of several differentflow rates and prescribed proportions of premix materials to water.

Another object is the provision of spray apparatus having an adjustablenozzle for forming the spray output into any one of a number ofdifferent optional patterns irrespective of flow rate adjustment.

Yet another object is the provision of spray apparatus for convenientremovable attachment to a container of materials to be admixed withwater spray and including mean selectively actuatable to directpressurized water into the container and achieve mixing therewith.

Another object is the provision of spray apparatus having multiple meansselectively alignable with inlet pressurized water to provide differentflow rates, and a conduit interconnecting the selectively alignablemeans with premix materials via a single balance control orifice forentraining premix materials in the pressurized water prior to sprayemission.

A still further object is the provision in spray apparatus of meanssecuring the end of a feed tube in the bottom of a premix materialcontainer.

In accordance with the practice of the present invention, a caplikemember is received onto a container which includes a supply of materialsto be sprayed onto lawns, shrubbery and the like. A swivel nut ismounted onto the caplike member for interconnection with a water hose,for example. A rotatable drumlike body, also mounted on the caplikemember, includes a pair of passages of different cross-sectional areapassing therethrough, and which passages are selectively positionable inalignment with a feed opening communicating with a water source via thehose fitting or bit. The passages in the drumlike body have lateralcommunication channels opening into a feed tube which extends down intothe container and terminates in a single proportion balance controlorifice. A nozzle is rotatably affixed to the drumlike body and includesa plurality of exit openings therein which on adjustment forms a spraydirected either upwardly or downwardly, in a narrow stream that extendsgenerally straight out from the nozzle, or in a broad spray for use inapplying fertilizers and insecticides onto lawns. The nozzle adjustmentcan be made separately of the drumlike body adjustment.

A further aspect of the invention includes a hand operable valvingdevice which directs water from the hose into the container as apressurized conical jet for initial mixing with the spray materials to aprescribed ratio.

The feed tube lower end is sealed within a sediment trap which positionsit closely adjacent the container bottom in a manner .[.premitting.]..Iadd.permitting .Iaddend.free communication with the surroundingmaterials over a full 360° about the tube end. Double filtering removessuspended matter from the mixed materials prior to emission as a spray.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the spray apparatus and associatedcontainer of the subject invention.

FIG. 2 is a side elevational, sectional view of the spray apparatus andcontainer, taken along line 2--2 of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a transverse sectional view taken along the line 3--3 in FIG.2.

FIG. 4 is a sectional view taken along the line 4--4 of FIG. 2.

FIG. 5 is a plan, sectional, partially fragmentary view of the nozzletaken along line 5--5 of FIG. 2.

FIG. 6 is a sectional view taken along line 6--6 of FIG. 2.

FIG. 7 is an elevational, partially sectional view of an alternate formof cap and container closure technique.

FIG. 8 is a plan sectional view taken along line 8--8 of FIG. 7.

FIGS. 9 through 12 show further views of the cap and container of FIGS.7 and 8.

DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Turning now to FIG. 1, the sprayer of the subject invention isidentified generally by the number 10 and is seen to be received on theupper end of an open topped container 11 into which fertilizers,insecticides, herbicides, or the like, are admixed with water inprescribed ratio prior to spraying onto lawns, shrubbery, trees or otherplants. More particularly, the sprayer apparatus 10 is of unitaryconstruction which includes a rotatable fitting 12 for connecting ontothe male end of a garden hose, for example. Nozzle means 13 arerotatably adjustable for directing the spray in any one of severaldifferent spray patterns to be described. A manually actuated control 14interconnects, in a way that will be more particularly described,valving means to provide water and premix materials from 11 to thenozzle 13 at several different flow rates and mixed in predeterminedratios. Actuation of mixing control button 15 directs a conical jet ofwater into the container 11 for initial mixing in a desired ratio withpremix materials contained therein.

With reference now to FIG. 2, the container 11 is seen to have arelatively broad base and an open top, the latter optionally includinglock lugs 16 or other suitable means for cooperating with the sprayerapparatus to effect what is sometimes termed a bayonet connection. Thislatter connection permits the container to be readily removed from andreconnected to the cap when filling with premix materials. The bottomwall 17 of the container 11 includes a centrally located well 18 withinwhich a sediment trap 19, to be more fully described, is received andwhich also acts to locate the lower end of a feed tube 20 within thewell and secure it against lateral displacement.

A cap or cover 21 is received onto the upper open end of the container11 and includes either lock lug keyways or other projecting means 22 forcooperating with container lugs 16 to effect positive closure of thecontainer. Upstanding wall means 23 on the cap are integrally formedwith the cap 21 and have a water entrance side 24 including walls 25defining a generally circular opening within which the swivel nut 12 issecured in a manner causing it to extend downwardly from the horizontalat an angle of approximately 15°, which angle provides a comfortablehand-hold when aiming the nozzle 13 generally horizontally. A secondsubstantially flat face 26 of the member 23 extends vertically upwardfrom the cap or cover with an opening 27 extending therethrough in fluidpassing communication with the interior of the fitting or swivel nut 12.A centrally located opening or well 28 is formed in the face 26 formounting other elements as will be described.

The fitting 12 preferably includes a gross particle filter or strainingscreen 29 and a pressure actuated check valve diaphragm 30, the latterpreventing materials from moving backwardly through the fitting into thewater supply line. Although the preferred construction offers certaindistinct advantages to the overall operation of the subject sprayerapparatus, it is not a part of this invention as such and will thereforenot be described in further detail.

The manually actuated control 14 interconnects with a generallycylindical drumlike body 31 having a conical, axially located opening 32passing completely therethrough. As seen best in FIG. 3, the body 31 isa generally hollow tubular element as viewed along its cylindrical axisand has walls forming a pair of passages 33 and 34 extending generallyparallel to the conical opening 32 and spaced radially outwardly fromthe body axis the same amount. Each of the passages 33 and 34 includeassociated radially directed orifices 35 and 36, respectively,communicating therewith and passing through the circumferential wall ofthe body 31.

Each cylindrical passage 33 and 34 receives respective tubular inserts37 and 38 with different accurately formed bores extending axiallytherethrough. The outer walls of inserts include portions 39 whichcontact the inner wall surface of the associated passages 33 and 34 atspaced intervals, leaving the inserts otherwise spaced from the walls.It is also to be noted that the inserts when fully seated are spaced attheir inner ends from the walls defining the associated passage as at40. A water inlet opening 41 passing through the wall which abutsagainst 26 is provided in alignment with each insert bore, whichopenings 41 are selectively adjustable to align with a larger waterinlet opening 27 in wall face 26. That is, with an insert fully seatedin its respective passage, full fluid communication is maintainedbetween the inlet openings 41 and 27, and the openings 35 and 36 as wellas along the insert bore. The other or outer end of each insert extendswell into nozzle for a purpose to be described later. Still further, theouter end surfaces of the walls defining each of the passages 33 and 34are shaped to receive sealing means 42 such as an O-ring, for example.As will be described in detail later, the drumlike body 31 is adjustablypositionable during use so that only one of the inserts at a time is influid communication via 41 and 27 to the pressurized source of water.

Assembly of the drumlike body 31 to the cap is accomplished throughutilization of a mounting means 43 which is in the form of a pair ofhollow studs or shanks 44 and 45, separated by a disclike wall 46extending along the same axis and in opposite directions. In particular,the shank 44 tapers toward its outer end and is of such dimensions thatit can be received within the passage 32 of the drumlike body 31 and hasan outer end portion which extends beyond the body 31 for receipt withinan accommodating circular shoulder 47 encompassing the opening 28. Therelative dimensions of these parts are such that when the body 31 isreceived on the shank 44, in the manner just described, it freelyrotates thereon, and at the same time fits closely against both the wall26 and the disclike wall 46. An arcuate slot 48 in the disclike wall 46aligns with each bore of the inserts 37 and 38 when they are arranged inthe lowermost position, as the insert 38 is illustrated in FIGS. 3 and6, for example. At the same time the associated lateral orifice 35 or36, as the case may be, is aligned with a port 49 in the cap 21communicating with the tube 20. Further sealing means such as the O-ring50 maintains a continuous water-tight and air-tight condition about theopenings 36 and 49 to prevent both premix materials from escapingoutwardly and air leaking inwardly reducing the aspiration force on thepremix materials.

The nozzle 13 is of substantially cylindrical shape with an open end 51,an exit or spray end 52, and internal walls defining four separateelongate chambers 53-56 arranged about the cylindrical axis. The sprayend 52 is provided with four separate outlets 53'-56', each individuallyconnected to correspondingly numbered chambers 53-56 for emitting wateradmixed with premix materials in a prescribed pattern. The nozzle alsoincludes inner wall surfaces 57 defining an axial bore with a taperedportion for receipt onto the shank 45, as seen best in FIG. 2. When soreceived on the shank 45, the inner ends of the nozzle 13 slidingly abutagainst a peripheral flange 58 of the wall means 46. A threaded membersuch as a self-tapping screw 59, received within the shank bore, has itsinner end threaded into the opening 28 and an enlarged head at the otherend securing the nozzle onto the shank with washer 60 acting as abearing spacer. When assembled as described, the nozzle is freelyrotatable about the shank 45 as an axle to selectively align any one ofthe chambers 53-56 of the nozzle with the opening 48 in the wall 46. Asseen best in FIG. 6, the lock lug 72 on the marginal portion of open end51 engages the equally spaced detents 76 during rotation to position thenozzle in its described spraying modes.

With respect to operation of the spray apparatus as described to thispoint, assume the drumlike body 31 is adjusted to the position shown inFIG. 3. As shown there, a projecting embossment 61 on the outer surfaceof the body 31 on engaging an adjacent wall of the cap 21 locates thepassage 34 in its lowermost position (see also FIG. 2) with itsassociated orifice 36 aligned with the opening 49 and therebycommunicating with tube 20. Also, when in this position, the bore of theinsert 38 is directly aligned with both the inlet water opening 41 andthe arcuate slot 48 (FIGS. 2 and 6). Accordingly, irrespective of theadjustment mode of the nozzle, pressurized water provided to the fitting12 makes its way directly through openings 27 and 41, insert bore 38 andout through the slot 48 for dispensing via the nozzle. Rotation of thedrumlike body of member 31 approximately 80° detents the body in suchmanner that the other insert 37 is aligned in fluid passing relation.

As a further aspect of this invention, on comparing FIGS. 2 and 4, atransverse cylindrical opening 62 is formed in the cap body having oneportion 63 which is of greater diameter than the remainder. A port 64extends upwardly from the inner end of opening 62 communicating with theinterior of the housing 23 closely adjacent the opening 41. An elongatedside 65 received within the opening 62 has its inner end shaped into apiston which is slidingly received within the smaller diameter part ofthe opening 62. A second portion 66 spaced from the outer end thereof isshaped for sliding movement with the large diameter section 63. Theouter end 68 defines the control button 15 shown in FIG. 1.

Movement of the control button 15 to its innermost position (full linedepiction, FIG. 4) provides communication as shown by the arrows for thepressurized water through the port 64 and downward through taperedoutlet 67, where it is emitted as an expanding conical jet intocontainer 11. This flow into the container will be maintained as long asthe push button is held in. Release of the push button 15 allows thewater entering via opening 64 and pressing against the inner surface of66 to drive the member 65 outwardly, thereby closing off the flow pathbetween 64 and 67. The rate of water being added to the container may becontrolled simply by holding the push button in varying amounts ofdepression, i.e., the farther it is pushed in, the greater the flowrate. Also, by merely holding the push button in, the necessary amountof water to be added to the container to provide any desired proportionof water to premix materials can be obtained over a continuous range. Itis also important to note that the water emitted via 67 is a fast movingconical stream of jet, the action of which thoroughly mixes the premixmaterials with the water. Specifically, the outlet 67 is formed tocreate a conical jet that on reaching the bottom of the container has aneffective diameter approximately one-half that of the container bottom.

As a safety and ease of handling feature, it is to be noted in FIG. 2that at each side of the push button there are provided escape ports 69and 70 extending through the cap. In the event of excessive filling orperhaps foaming or other working during mixing, these ports allow forescape of the material, but in a relatively low pressure stream, therebypreventing injury or staining of the user or his clothing by aninadvertent spray developing between the cap and container as can happenin some prior art equipment. Moreover, on release of the push button atthe end of adding the required amount of water to the container, thewater pressure moves the piston 65, and thus the push button, to itsoutermost position, thereby preventing overfilling of the container.

It is preferred that the container 11 be constructed of a transparent,nonbreakable plastic which is not only safe to handle, but allows forready monitoring of the mixing to insure both accuracy and completeness.

As best seen in FIG. 2, the sediment trap 19 comprises generally aninverted cuplike strainer. The side walls include a plurality of openingslits 74 for admitting fluid to the interior thereof. The upper or topwall of the trap 19 is further provided with a recess 75 within whichthe lower end portion of the tube 20 is received. The walls 77 definingthe recess 75 includes a single fine orifice 78 of predetermineddimensions serving as a proportion balance control through which thepremix in the container is aspirated upwardly through the tube forentrainment within the spray. A fine mesh screen 79 surrounds orifice 78for removing particulate matter not strained out by the slits 74 whichmight otherwise block the orifice and make it inoperative. The trap 19also serves to maintain the tube end at a position closely adjacent thebottom of the container, insuring the use of substantially all theliquid mix in the container. The container bottom 17 is formed intoseveral radially extending channels 80 which direct the premix liquidmixture to the sediment trap.

By having the proportion balance control orifice 78 located at the endof the tube 20, in the event the orifice becomes plugged, it is a simplematter to remove the tube and pluglike member for cleaning orreplacement.

As noted previously, the nozzle 13 is provided with four differentspraying modes. Although a number of different spraying modes may beprovided on a single nozzle, for illustrative purposes only four arepresented here. That is, on reference to FIGS. 2 and 5, spray outlet 53'provides a single stream or jet; outlet 54', an upwardly directed spray;and outlets 55' and 56', downwardly directed sprays of differentangularity. As seen in FIG. 2, only one spray mode at a time is obtainedand that is the one associated with the particular chamber 53-56 that ispositioned in alignment with slot 48 in wall 46.

The spray pattern provided by each of the spray outlets 53'-56' has anassociated droplet size achieved through deflecting the pressurizedwater off one or more angularly disposed wall surfaces prior to emissionfrom the spray outlet. This is important in that for optimum performancethere is a proper droplet size for each particular application. Forexample, water to be emitted from the outlet 55 (FIG. 2) is deflectedfrom a first angular wall 81 in the nozzle onto a second angular wall 82before exiting, whereas spray mixture coming from 53' (FIG. 5) is merelydeflected off a single angularly disposed wall 83, making the dropletsize in the latter case larger than in the first case. By locating theouter ends of the inserts 37 and 38 within the nozzle (FIG. 2) andclosely adjacent the deflecting surfaces, optimum stream control isobtained.

In the practice of this invention, there is provided the ability foreffecting initial mixture of the water and premix materials in a veryaccurate proportion by appropriate manipulation of the push button 15.Also, when producing the initial mixture in the container 11 in thismanner, water emitted into the container is in the form of a jet whichthoroughly agitates and mixes with the premix materials, eliminating therequirement for shaking or other means of insuring thorough mixture.

To insure against the liquid mixture leaking from the container at thecap, a special arrangement is used. The cap and container are preferablyboth made of plastic with the container being constructed of a softerand slightly more flexible material than the cap. Furthermore, therelative dimensions of the bayonet lugs on the cap and container aresuch that an interference is formed on threading which causes the upperedge 84 of the container to sealingly abut against the cap (FIG. 2).

In addition to the interference sealing relationship, in an alternateform of the invention the cap is locked onto the container top whichprevents the cap from vibrating loose during use. With reference now toFIGS. 7 through 12, the open mouth of container terminates in acontinuous circular rim 84, on the outwardly directed surface of whichthere is provided four equally spaced sets 85 of stops or lugs. Moreparticularly, each set 85 consists of a first generally rectangular lug86 which extends outwardly from the rim peripheral surface a firstamount, and a second generally rectangular lug 87 located at a distanceD from the first lug in a clockwise direction and extending outwardly agreater distance than the first lug. The lower edges of the two lugs ofeach set are spaced from an enlarged hub or shoulder 88 for a purpose tobe described.

The inner surface of the cap rim 89 is provided with four sets ofequally spaced locking lugs 90 for cooperative engagement with thecorresponding sets 85 of stops or lugs on the container rim. Eachlocking lug 90 includes a first rectangular portion 91 of dimensionsapproximating those of lug 86 and a second elongated portion 92extending in a forwardly turning direction (i.e., clockwise as viewedfrom above the cap) from lug 91. The width of 92 is such as to permitreceipt between the lower edges of the lugs 86 and 87 and the hub 88.

To assemble the cap onto the container, the cap is lowered onto thecontainer top with the leading edge of the portions 92 located behindeach associated lug 86. Rotation of the cap clockwise moves the lugportion 92 between the lower edge of lugs 85 and 86 and the hub 88,thereby securing the cap against upward removal from the container.Further rotation causes the lug 91 to move into interfering relationwith lug 86 and then into space D. Since the lug 87 extends outwardly ofrim 84 farther than 86, it prevents further rotation of the cap. Removalof the cap is accomplished by counterclockwise rotation with sufficientforce to overcome interference of 91 with 86.

As described above, the inserts 37 and 38 have respective bores ofdifferent fluid carrying capacities. Although these can be varied over alarge range, it has been found that best results are obtained withpresent day premix materials for spraying of lawns when the insert boreof 38 effects a 60:1 mixture of water to the liquid mix in container 11.Similarly, the bore in 37 is of such dimensions as to produce a 24:1ratio with the mixed materials in 11 for application to shrubs or thelike. These inserts have been made removable for ease of manufacture andin order to insure repeated accuracy on large manufacturing runs of thebore size which is, of course, important to insure maintenance of fixedproportion of the water to materials being admixed therewith. Also, inthe event it becomes advisable to provide a different bore size for,say, a special application, all that is required is to replace one (orboth) of the inserts with one having the desired bore size and changethe proportion balance control orifice.

Known prior devices of the general kind described here frequently wereunsatisfactory due to leakage which usually occurred as a relativelyhigh pressure spray either stained or was otherside injurious to theuser or his clothing. The described spray apparatus was particularlyconstructed to prevent such leakage while at the same time notmaterially increasing production cost. Illustrative of this is the useof a pair of concentrically arranged O-rings 93 and 94 located aboutwater inlet 27 in the surface 26 and sealing against leakage along therotor facing surface. Moreover, by virtue of the described sprayapparatus construction, no gaskets are required although the device isfully sealed against undesirable leakage such as, for example, betweenthe moving parts between the cap and the container.

Recapitulating on overall operation of the subject invention, water isfirst mixed with the premix materials in the desired proportion bydepressing the push button 15 to obtain the requisite amount of fill.The nozzle is then rotated to the desired spray pattern and direction,and the manual control moved from the OFF position (vertical as shown inFIG. 1) to align either passage 33 or 34 (dashed line and solid linedepiction in FIG. 3) with the inlet pressurized water. As water movesthrough the bore of the selected insert 37 or 38, the accurately formedventuri creates a partial vacuum in the space 40, opening 35 or 36, asthe case may be, and opening 49 to draw up to previously mixed materialsthrough the tube 20 and proportion balance control orifice 78, andfurther mix with water for ultimate spraying out the nozzle 13. To stopoperation, the control 14 is merely returned to the vertically up or OFFposition, after which the influent pressurized water should be turnedoff before the spray apparatus is removed from the hose.

In the practical embodiment of the described spray apparatus changingfrom one flow rate to a second flow rate merely required rotation of thedrumlike body 31 through approximately 80°. This advantageouslycontrasts with certain prior art apparatus requiring rotation of aselector through approximately 360° to achieve flow rate modification.

We claim:
 1. Apparatus for mixing a liquid with pressurized water andproviding a spray thereof, comprising:an open-topped container forreceiving a quantity of said liquid; a cap carried by said containerincluding means for connecting the cap to a supply of pressurized waterwith a water inlet opening in communication with said pressurized waterand further having a port communicating with the container interior; acylindrical body rotatably mounted on said cap including first andsecond passages extending through said body, arranged to be individuallyaligned with said water inlet opening at respective different positionsof rotation, said body having walls defining first and second openingsinterconnecting the respective first and second passages to the bodyexterior and so located as to align with the port in said cap when therespective passage is aligned with the water inlet opening; a nozzleinterconnected with said cylindrical body for ejecting a spray; and asingle, open-ended, hollow tube carried by said cap having one open endinterconnected with said port in said cap and the other open endextending into said container, said tube other end terminating in meanshaving an opening for receiving liquid from the container and saidopening in said means having a lesser sectional area than that of thetube one open end or that of the port in said cap.
 2. Apparatus as inclaim 1, further comprising manually operated valving means fordirecting a pressurized water stream from said water inlet opening insaid cap into said container.
 3. Apparatus as in claim 1, in which saidnozzle is rotatably adjustable to provide any one of at least twodifferent fixed spray patterns.
 4. Apparatus as in claim 1, in whichsaid nozzle is individually adjustable with respect to said cylindricalbody for selectively ejecting spray in at least two different patterns.5. A device for proportioning pressurized water with another liquid andforming a spray outlet, comprising:an open-topped container means forreceiving a quantity of said liquid; a cover mounted onto said containertop having means for connection to a supply of said pressurized waterand including a first open communicating with said pressurized water anda second opening communicating with the container interior; acylindrical body rotatably mounted on said cover having a pair ofpassages extending therethrough generally parallel to the axis ofrotation, each aligned at a different rotating position of said bodywith the first opening in said cover and lateral openingsinterconnecting each said body passage and the body exterior, saidlateral openings communicating with the cover second opening when theassociated cylindrical body passage is aligned with said first opening;and insert means removably received within each of said pair of bodypassages, each insert including walls defining a bore passingtherethrough generally parallel to said passages.
 6. A device forproportioning pressurized water with another liquid in an open-toppedcontainer and forming a spray, comprising:a cover removably mounted ontosaid container top for connection to a supply of said pressurized waterand including first means communicating with said pressurized water andsecond means communicating with the container interior; a drumlike bodyrotatably mounted to said cover having a pair of passages extendingtherethrough generally parallel to the axis of rotation, each passagebeing aligned at a different rotative position of said body with thefirst communicating means in said cover, and a lateral openinginterconnecting each body passage with the body exterior, said lateralopenings respectively communicating with the cover second communicatingmeans when the associated cylindrical body passage is aligned with saidfirst communicating means; and individual inserts removably receivedwithin each of said pair of body passages, each insert including wallsdefining a bore passing therethrough generally parallel to saidpassages, said bores being of different predetermined cross-sectionalareas.
 7. A device as in claim 6, in which there are further providedmanually operated valving means continuously adjustable over a range todirect pressurized water from the first communicating means into saidcontainer.
 8. A device as in claim 6, in which there are furtherprovided manually operated valving means carried by said coverselectively adjustable to direct a relatively high-pressure water streaminto the container for agitating and mixing with the contents thereof.9. A device as in claim 6, in which said container is constructed of amaterial more pliable than said cover and the relative dimensions ofsaid container top and cover are such that when said cover is receivedon said container top interference occurs forming a water-tight sealtherebetween.
 10. A device as in claim 6, in which said container topand cover includes lugs and grooves which cooperate to provide a bayonetconnection when said cover is mounted onto said container top.
 11. Adevice as in claim 6, in which said container is constructed of atransparent material, thereby providing visual monitoring capability ofmixing within said container.
 12. A device as in claim 6, in which thereare further provided manually operated valving means continuouslyadjustable over a range to direct the pressurized water from the firstcommunicating means into said container at a correspondinglycontinuoustly variable rate.
 13. A device for proportioning pressurizedwater with another liquid and forming a spray outlet, comprising:anopen-topped container having side and bottom walls for receiving aquantity of said liquid; a cover mounted onto said container top forconnection to a supply of said pressurized water; a cylindrical bodyrotatably mounted on said cover having a first passage extendingtherethrough generally parallel to the axis of rotation, communicationwith said pressurized water, and a lateral opening interconnecting saidfirst passage with the interior of said container; a hollow tube havingone end connected to the lateral opening and its other end locatedimmediately adjacent the center of the container bottom wall for drawingliquid from the container; and said container bottom wall including aplurality of channels extending outwardly from the center of said bottomwall.
 14. A device as in claim 13, in which there are further providedfirst and second screenlike means enclosing the other end of said tubemeans, said first screenlike means enclosing said second screenlikemeans and having larger screen openings than said second means.
 15. Adevice as in claim 13, in which the other end of said tube is positionedwithin a sediment trap, said trap including side walls having slitstherein, a top wall having a first opening within which the other end ofthe tube is received, and a screenlike member located over the firstopening and tube other end.
 16. A device as in claim 13, in which thetube other end terminates in means communicating with the containerliquid via an orifice having a smaller cross-sectional area than thetube bore.
 17. In a hose end spray apparatus for receiving and sprayingpressurized water and mixing a contained liquid therewith comprising aliquid container, a cap fittable on the container including means forconnection to a source of pressurized water and a nozzle for ejecting aspray of mixed water and liquid, a hollow tube extending from the capinto the container for withdrawing liquid therefrom, the improvementcomprising:a rotor mounted in the cap for pivoting above an axisextending generally in a direction of water flow; a plurality ofpassages through the rotor; an aspiration opening in fluid communicationwith each passage and individually alignable in fluid communication withthe feed tube in a respective pivot position of the rotor; and aremovable insert in each passage having a predetermined bore size formixing of said liquid with water in a predetermined ratio.
 18. In a hoseend spray apparatus as defined in claim 17, the further improvementwherein each aspiration opening comprises:an inlet water opening in therotor aligned with the bore in the respective insert; means for spacingthe insert away from the rotor adjacent the opening for defining anaspiration space; and means for providing fluid communication betweensaid space and said aspiration opening.
 19. In a hose end sprayapparatus for receiving and spraying pressurized water and mixing acontained liquid therewith, comprising a liquid container, a capfittable on the container including means for connection to a source ofpressurized water and a nozzle for ejecting a spray of mixed water andliquid, and means for aspirating liquid from the container for mixingwith the water, improved means for selectively directing pressurizedwater from the cap into the container, comprising:a fluid passage havinga relatively smaller diameter portion and a relatively larger diameterportion; a piston in the passage having a seal around the periphery inthe relatively smaller diameter portion and a seal around the peripheryin the relatively larger diameter portion, and longitudinally movable inthe passage between a depressed open position and an extended closedposition; a fluid outlet from the passage into the container between thelarger and smaller seals in either position of the piston; and a fluidinlet from a pressurized water region of the cap into the passagebetween the smaller seal and the larger seal when the piston is in itsopen position and on the opposite side of the smaller seal from thelarger seal when the piston is in its extended closed position.
 20. Adevice for proportioning pressurized water with another liquid carriedin an open-topped container and forming a spray therefrom, comprising:acover removably mounted onto said container top for connection to asupply of said pressurized water and including first means communicatingwith said pressurized water and second means communicating with thecontainer interior; a drumlike body rotatably mounted to said coverhaving a pair of passages extending therethrough generally parallel tothe axis of rotation, each passage being aligned at a different rotativeposition of said body with the first communicating means in said cover,and a lateral opening interconnecting each body passage with the bodyexterior, said lateral openings respectively communicating with thecover second communicating means when the associated cylindrical bodypassage is aligned with said first communicating means, and saiddrumlike body preventing passage of water therethrough at all otherrotative positions; and individual inserts removably received withineach of said pair of body passages, each insert including walls defininga bore passing therethrough generally parallel to said passages, saidbores being of different predetermined cross-sectional areas.
 21. Adevice for proportioning pressurized water with another liquid andforming a spray outlet, comprising:an open-topped container forreceiving a quantity of said liquid therein and having walls defining agenerally circular rim about the container open top; a cover mountedonto said container top for connection to a supply of said pressurizedwater, said cover having a rim for cooperatively engaging the containerrim; a cylindrical body rotatably mounted on said cover having aplurality of passages extending therethrough generally parallel to theaxis of rotation which individually communicate with said pressurizedwater at different positions of rotation, and a lateral openinginterconnecting said first passage with the interior of said container;and a tube having one end connected to the lateral opening and its otherend located immediately adjacent the center of the container bottom wallfor drawing liquid from the container; said container rim containing atleast one pair of outwardly projecting lugs spaced circumferentiallyfrom one another and extending outwardly different amounts, and saidcover rim having an inwardly projecting lug which is so dimensioned asto pass over the lesser projecting container rim lug with interferenceand to be obstructed by the greater projecting container rim lug,thereby locking the cover to the container against inadvertent removal.22. A device for proportioning pressurized water with another liquidcarried in an open-topped container and forming a spray therefrom,comprising:a cover removably mounted onto said container top forconnection to a supply of said pressurized water and including first andsecond water inlet openings of respective first and secondcross-sectional areas and means communicating with the containerinterior; a drumlike body rotatably mounted to said cover having a pairof passages extending therethrough generally parallel to the axis ofrotation, each passage being aligned at a different rotative position ofsaid body with a respective one of said first and second water inletopenings in said cover, and a lateral opening interconnecting each bodypassage with the body exterior, said lateral openings respectivelycommunicating with the cover second communicating means when theassociated cylindrical body passage is aligned with the said first orsecond water inlet openings; and individual inserts removably receivedwithin each of said pair of body passages, each insert including wallsdefining a bore passing therethrough generally parallel to saidpassages, said bores being of different predetermined cross-sectionalareas and of lesser cross-sectional area than the corresponding firstand second water inlet openings with which they are aligned for waterpassage therethrough.
 23. Apparatus for mixing a liquid with pressurizedwater and providing a spray thereof, comprising:an open-topped containerfor receiving a quantity of said liquid; a cap carried by said containerincluding means for connecting the cap to a supply of pressurized waterwith a water inlet opening in communication with said pressurized waterand further having a port communicating with the container interior; acylindrical body rotatably mounted on said cap including first andsecond passages extending through said body, said passages containingfirst and second inserts, respectively, having different sized boresextending therethrough, said passages and the bores of the insertsreceived therein arranged to be individually aligned with said waterinlet opening at respectively different positions of rotation of thecylindrical body, said body having walls defining first and secondopenings interconnecting the respective first and second passages to thebody exterior and so located as to align with the port in said cap whenthe respective passage is aligned with the water inlet opening; a nozzleinterconnected with said cylindrical body for ejecting a spray; and ahollow tube carried by said cap having an end interconnected with saidport in said cap and the other end extending into said container, saidtube other end terminating in means having an opening for receivingliquid from the container and said opening in said means having a lessersectional area than the port in said cap.
 24. Apparatus for mixing aliquid with pressurized water and providing a spray thereof,comprising:an open-topped container for receiving a quantity of saidliquid; a cap carried by said container including means for connectingthe cap to a supply of pressurized water with a water inlet opening incommunication with said pressurized water and further having a portcommunicating with the container interior; a cylindrical body rotatablymounted on said cap including first and second passages extendingthrough said body, arranged to be individually aligned with said waterinlet opening at respective different positions of rotation, said bodyhaving walls defining first and second openings interconnecting therespective first and second passages to the body exterior and so locatedas to align with the port in said cap when the respective passage isaligned with the water inlet opening; a nozzle interconnected with saidcylindrical body for ejecting a spray; and a hollow tube carried by saidcap having an end interconnected with said port in said cap and theother end extending into said container, said tube other end terminatingin means having an opening for receiving liquid from the container andsaid opening in said means having a lesser sectional area than the portin said cap, said means being positioned within a sediment trap fixedlylocated in the bottom of said container.
 25. In a hose end sprayapparatus for receiving and spraying pressurized water and mixing acontained liquid therewith, including a liquid container, a cap fittableon the container with means for connection to a source of pressurizedwater and a nozzle for ejecting a spray of mixed water and liquid, andmeans for aspirating liquid from the container for mixing with thewater, improved means for selectively directing pressurized water fromthe cap into the container, comprising:a fluid passage in said capinterconnecting said pressurized water source with said liquidcontainer; a piston longitudinally oriented in and continuously movablealong said passage from a first depressed position at which saidpressurized water can move from the cap to said container to a secondextended position where said piston closes said passage to thepressurized water; a fluid outlet in said cap that interconnects thepassage with the container throughout the full range of positions of thepiston; and a fluid inlet that interconnects a pressurized water regionof the cap with the passage when the piston is in its open position andprevents liquid flow therethrough to the container when the piston is inits extended closed position.
 26. In a hose end spray apparatus forreceiving and spraying pressurized water and mixing a contained liquidtherewith, comprising a liquid container, a cap fittable on thecontainer including means for connection to a source of pressurizedwater and a nozzle for ejecting a spray of mixed water and liquid, andmeans for aspirating liquid from the container to mix with the water,improved means for selectively directing pressurized water from the capinto the container, comprising:a manually operated valving meanscontinuously adjustable over a range to direct pressurized water fromsaid cap into said liquid container at a correspondingly continuouslyvariable rate.